The blockage was between the boiler exit and the solenoid part of the grouphead. I used tweezers to drop store bought descaler into the exit point and then dripped in just boiled water. I also used thin flexible wire to try to clear the solenoid end. In hindsight I think it was the solenoid end that was blocked as when I cleaned the solenoid it had almost blocked due to coffee buildup. The light bulbs should have come on then! I'll put that one down to experience.

I went to an oring distributer for the orings I replaced (boiler & shower block). They were about 1/2 the price compared to the online price here in NZ. I reassembled everything. Tested it. Leak from steam wand to boiler copper piping which was easliy fixed by tightening the nut (it had slightly loosened during disassembly).

Tested with a shot. Had my first 'gusher'. I had tamped too lightly....not enough practice with machine out of action. Retried, using a temp surf for the first time, and tasted an espresso. yummy! I've still lots to learn in pulling the shot & its going to be fun.

In case you're still following this thread... Initially, with your clogged brewhead, you were hearing your pump build up pressure until it stalled and quietly hummed... You should try to force some descaler through your relief valve (OPV) to get it working again. When your dual-purpose boiler is exceeding 9.5 or 10 Bar pressure, the relief should be allowing the flow through abd back to reservoir. If your pump is stalling at less than 10 Bar, you will be needing a new pump soon, sorry.

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